Alia’s Savory Indonesian Beef Bone Soup

Sumsum Sapi ala Alia is a savory and aromatic Indonesian beef bone soup that combines tender beef with a rich, flavorful broth. This traditional dish, perfect for warming up on a chilly day, features a harmonious blend of spices and fresh ingredients. Here’s how to recreate this delightful recipe at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 beef bone (approximately 1/4 kg, with some meat on it)
• 1/4 kg beef shank or similar cut (for additional flavor and texture)
• 5 shallots
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 stalks green onions (cut into 2 cm pieces)
• 2 cardamom pods
• 2 cloves
• 1 cm cinnamon stick
• Salt to taste
• White pepper to taste
• 1 cm ginger (crushed)
• Mushroom broth (adjust to taste)
• Fresh red chili peppers and tomatoes for serving

Instructions:

1. Initial Boiling:

   • In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the beef bone and beef shank. Boil until the fat starts to rise to the surface. Discard the first boiling water to remove impurities and excess fat.

2. Secondary Cooking:

   • Refill the pot with fresh water and bring it to a boil again. Add the beef bone and beef shank back into the pot. Simmer until the meat becomes tender and the broth starts to release some oil.

3. Spice Preparation:

   • Add the crushed ginger, cardamom pods, cloves, and cinnamon stick to the pot.

4. Sauté Aromatics:

   • Finely chop the shallots and garlic. Sauté them briefly in a pan until fragrant. Then add the sautéed shallots and garlic to the pot with the beef and spices. Continue to cook until the beef is thoroughly tender.

5. Seasoning:

   • Stir in the mushroom broth, salt, and white pepper to taste. Add the green onions and adjust seasoning as needed.

6. Final Simmer:

   • Let the soup simmer until all the flavors meld together and the broth is well-seasoned. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

7. Serving:

   • Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh red chili peppers and tomato slices for a touch of heat and freshness.

This hearty Sumsum Sapi ala Alia is perfect for a comforting meal. Enjoy the rich, flavorful broth and tender beef with a side of steamed rice or bread to complete your meal.